Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Few things light up a dessert table quite like these Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies! Imagine rich, creamy peanut butter cookie dough with a surprise gooey Snickers bar center, finished with that perfectly golden edge. They check all the boxes: chewy, sweet, a tiny bit salty, and definitely chocolatey. These cookies are a total crowd-pleaser, and always disappear fast—so don’t plan on leftovers! If you love peanut butter and the nostalgic joy of trick-or-treating, this recipe will thrill both kids and grown-ups alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Get ready to bake with ingredients that are simple but absolutely essential; each of these brings something wonderful to the party. From the creamy peanut butter to the classic Snickers centers, every item is carefully chosen to create that irresistible Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies magic.

• Unsalted Butter (1 cup): Softened butter adds moisture and richness, helping the cookies brown beautifully.
• Peanut Butter (1 cup): Use your favorite smooth or chunky for bold flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Brown sugar brings that signature chew and a hint of caramel flavor.
• Granulated Sugar (1 cup): For just the right amount of sweetness and those crisp edges we all love.
• Large Eggs (2): Eggs help bind everything and create lift, giving your Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies a tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): A splash of vanilla makes all the flavors harmonize perfectly.
• All-Purpose Flour (3½ cups): Flour is the backbone—holds the cookies together and gives structure.
• Baking Soda (1 tsp): Promotes gentle rise and that soft middle.
• Salt (½ tsp): A must for balancing sweetness and enhancing peanutty notes.
• Mini Snickers Bars (48, unwrapped): The star! Each cookie hides a mini Snickers for a delightful bite-sized surprise.

How to Make Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Ingredients

Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s good and ready by the time you need it. Grab your cookie sheets and line them with parchment paper; this makes cleanup a breeze and prevents sticking later on. Now’s also a great time to unwrap all those mini Snickers bars—resist the urge to snack on the stash (or give yourself permission to sneak one!).

Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, your favorite peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Keep mixing until everything’s fluffy and noticeably lighter in color—this step gives your cookies the perfect creamy base. Don’t rush it! A little extra mixing pays off with that soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture in your Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition so the mixture stays smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract to tie everything together. At this stage, your dough will smell absolutely incredible—like pure bakery bliss!

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mix into your wet mixture, blending just until a soft, manageable dough forms. If the dough feels sticky, chill it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes—this quick tip makes assembling later much easier.

Step 5: Shape & Fill the Cookies

Take about one tablespoon of dough, flatten it in your palm, and nestle a mini Snickers right in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the candy bar, rolling it gently into a ball to seal in all the chocolatey goodness. Place each filled cookie 2 inches apart on your baking sheets—these cookies spread a bit, and you want each Snickers Peanut Butter Cookie to have plenty of room to shine.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Pop your trays in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cookies are just golden around the edges but still soft in the center. Let the cookies rest for at least 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack—this gives the Snickers centers time to set, so you get that perfect ooze but no hot mess.

How to Serve Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies

Garnishes

Top your warm cookies with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a pop of contrast, or drizzle with melted chocolate to echo the Snickers filling. You can even press a few chopped peanuts or extra candy pieces on top while the cookies are still warm for added crunch and a bakery-style flair.

Side Dishes

Pair your Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a rich cup of hot chocolate. If you’re feeling fancy, they also play well alongside a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream—the warm-cool combo is pure heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack these cookies high in a tall glass jar for a fun centerpiece, or package them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for the cutest homemade gifts. For a show-stopping dessert platter, alternate your cookies with fresh strawberries and chocolate truffles, letting the Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies steal the spotlight.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cool, store your Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The cookies stay soft and gooey in the center but keep a gentle chew on the outside, making them just as irresistible days later.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze both the baked cookies and the unbaked dough balls! For baked cookies, let them cool, then layer them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. For raw dough, fill and shape as directed, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag to bake straight from the freezer when a craving hits.

Reheating

To bring chilled or frozen cookies back to life, simply zap them in the microwave for 8–10 seconds or warm briefly in a 300°F oven until the centers are soft and gooey again. This trick delivers peak Snickers Peanut Butter Cookie deliciousness even days (or weeks) later.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?

Definitely! Crunchy peanut butter adds extra texture and little nutty bits to your Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies. If you love a bit of crunch and a rustic bite, go for it.

How do I keep the dough from sticking to my hands?

If the dough is sticky, a quick 20-minute chill in the fridge works wonders. You can also lightly oil or wet your hands to make wrapping the dough around the Snickers bars much easier.

What if I can’t find mini Snickers bars?

No worries! You can use fun-size Snickers bars cut in half, or even chop up a few regular-sized candies and tuck them inside. Just try to keep the candy pieces bite-sized so the cookies bake evenly.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. The dough can be made and chilled up to 2 days ahead. Just scoop, fill, and bake right when you’re ready for fresh, gooey Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies.

What’s the best way to keep the Snickers centers gooey?

Let the cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes before moving them—this helps the chocolate middle stay molten but not run all over. Warming leftovers for a few seconds in the microwave is also a great way to revive that gooey core.

Final Thoughts

There’s just nothing like baking a batch of Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies and sharing them with people you love! They’re easy, utterly delicious, and always disappear fast—so be prepared for requests for the recipe. Trust me, one bite and you’ll see why this treat is a favorite in my kitchen. Happy baking!

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